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Our Team

Portchain was founded by three former McKinsey project managers with deep expertise in digitizing the shipping industry, having served across the value chain on a global basis. Our team members have diverse profiles and distinctive talents - all working together to optimize shipping operations through the use of technology

Niels is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Portchain. Previously, he worked at McKinsey advising primarily container terminals and lines on strategy and digitization. He also led McKinsey’s first internal startup, where he led the development of an application for the shipping industry. Niels studied Economics at the University of Gothenburg and  Oxford, and has an M.B.A. from M.I.T.

Niels Kristiansen

CEO, co-founder

Niels is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Portchain. Previously, he worked at McKinsey advising primarily container terminals and lines on strategy and digitization. He also led McKinsey’s first internal startup, where he led the development of an application for the shipping industry. Niels studied Economics at the University of Gothenburg and  Oxford, and has an M.B.A. from M.I.T.

Anders is co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Portchain. Previously, he worked at McKinsey leading the development of several B2B applications. Anders was Product Manager for a SaaS application that used machine learning to predict vessel arrivals for container terminals. He led several end-to-end process digitization efforts across leading logistics and financial institutions.

Anders Olivarius

CIO, co-founder

Anders is co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Portchain. Previously, he worked at McKinsey leading the development of several B2B applications. Anders was Product Manager for a SaaS application that used machine learning to predict vessel arrivals for container terminals. He led several end-to-end process digitization efforts across leading logistics and financial institutions.

Thor is co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Portchain. Previously, he worked at McKinsey leading digital transformations for shipping and logistics clients. He led the development of an industry leading data sharing effort in a Global Port, and led several digital strategy efforts for companies across the logistics value chain. Thor has a MSc in Mechanical Engineering (Hons) from the Technical University of Denmark.

Thor Thorup

CCO, co-founder

Thor is co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Portchain. Previously, he worked at McKinsey leading digital transformations for shipping and logistics clients. He led the development of an industry leading data sharing effort in a Global Port, and led several digital strategy efforts for companies across the logistics value chain. Thor has a MSc in Mechanical Engineering (Hons) from the Technical University of Denmark.

Michael is Vice President of Analytics at Portchain. Michael has worked with applying advanced analytics in different industries to improve planning and decision-making, such as manpower scheduling in airports, network design in offshore wind farms and timetabling at universities. He has a Ph.D. in operations research from the Technical University of Denmark.

Michael Lindahl

Vice President of Analytics

Michael is Vice President of Analytics at Portchain. Michael has worked with applying advanced analytics in different industries to improve planning and decision-making, such as manpower scheduling in airports, network design in offshore wind farms and timetabling at universities. He has a Ph.D. in operations research from the Technical University of Denmark.

Toby is Vice President of Customers at Portchain. Previously, he worked at McKinsey leading work on transformations for shipping and energy clients. He has led multiple digital strategy efforts across companies in these industries. Before McKinsey, he worked at BP where he led implementation of production optimisation systems. Toby holds a MEng in Engineering Science (Hons) specialising in Machine Learning from the University of Oxford.

Toby Miller

Vice President of Customers

Toby is Vice President of Customers at Portchain. Previously, he worked at McKinsey leading work on transformations for shipping and energy clients. He has led multiple digital strategy efforts across companies in these industries. Before McKinsey, he worked at BP where he led implementation of production optimisation systems. Toby holds a MEng in Engineering Science (Hons) specialising in Machine Learning from the University of Oxford.

Craig is the Vice President of Sales at Portchain. Previously he worked at Navis leading the Sales Strategy for Navis’ first SaaS platform and internal start-up named XVELA cloud collaboration. With 12 years experience from Navis, Craig’s roles included advising and selling to terminal, carrier and vessel executives, putting Craig in a strong position to further the goals of Portchain. Craig studied Computing for Business Applications at the University Manchester.

Craig Halford

Vice President of Sales

Craig is the Vice President of Sales at Portchain. Previously he worked at Navis leading the Sales Strategy for Navis’ first SaaS platform and internal start-up named XVELA cloud collaboration. With 12 years experience from Navis, Craig’s roles included advising and selling to terminal, carrier and vessel executives, putting Craig in a strong position to further the goals of Portchain. Craig studied Computing for Business Applications at the University Manchester.

Rasmus is the Vice President of Product at Portchain. His previous workplaces include Tradeshift and Falcon.io. With over 15 years of experience from start-ups and scale-ups, Rasmus comes with a strong product background and expertise in SaaS-based platform products. Rasmus’ vision for Portchain, its customers and users will ensure Portchain continues to create value-adding services and industry efficiencies.

Rasmus Holmann Sørensen

Vice President of Product

Rasmus is the Vice President of Product at Portchain. His previous workplaces include Tradeshift and Falcon.io. With over 15 years of experience from start-ups and scale-ups, Rasmus comes with a strong product background and expertise in SaaS-based platform products. Rasmus’ vision for Portchain, its customers and users will ensure Portchain continues to create value-adding services and industry efficiencies.

Michele is Director of Engineering at Portchain. Michele has been working in software industry for 9 years over a wide range of projects from mobile app to B2B SaaS applications. He is a Microsoft MVP and has been working in companies like nearForm. Michele has a MSc in Informatics Engineering from University of Brescia.

Michele Capra

Director of Engineering

Michele is Director of Engineering at Portchain. Michele has been working in software industry for 9 years over a wide range of projects from mobile app to B2B SaaS applications. He is a Microsoft MVP and has been working in companies like nearForm. Michele has a MSc in Informatics Engineering from University of Brescia.

Jasper is Senior Sales Director at Portchain. He has extensive experience from Strategy Consulting and Technology & Innovation Management within technology intensive industries. He has 8 years of experience driving technology adaptation in the maritime sector: from Maersk, responsible for Future Technologies & Innovation, and Navis driving key client discussions on future requirements. Jasper has a MSc (with Merit) and a Ph.D. in Physics from Utrecht University (the Netherlands).

Jasper Boessenkool

Senior Sales Director

Jasper is Senior Sales Director at Portchain. He has extensive experience from Strategy Consulting and Technology & Innovation Management within technology intensive industries. He has 8 years of experience driving technology adaptation in the maritime sector: from Maersk, responsible for Future Technologies & Innovation, and Navis driving key client discussions on future requirements. Jasper has a MSc (with Merit) and a Ph.D. in Physics from Utrecht University (the Netherlands).

Sergei is an Engineering Team Lead at Portchain. Sergei has 3 years of experience in both large projects at Microsoft and startups in Silicon Valley. He has a deep expertise in databases, having worked on SQL Server and Azure SQL Database at Microsoft. He holds an MSc in Physics from the University of Cambridge.

Sergei Patiakin

Engineering Team Lead

Sergei is an Engineering Team Lead at Portchain. Sergei has 3 years of experience in both large projects at Microsoft and startups in Silicon Valley. He has a deep expertise in databases, having worked on SQL Server and Azure SQL Database at Microsoft. He holds an MSc in Physics from the University of Cambridge.

Federico is a Staff Engineer at Portchain. Federico has 10 years of experience as a full-stack developer, working in companies like MailUp and Antares Vision. He has an MSc in Information Technologies from University of Milan with an in-depth expertise in operations research.

Federico Gandellini

Staff Engineer

Federico is a Staff Engineer at Portchain. Federico has 10 years of experience as a full-stack developer, working in companies like MailUp and Antares Vision. He has an MSc in Information Technologies from University of Milan with an in-depth expertise in operations research.

Sebastian is a Data Scientist at Portchain. Sebastian has worked with quantitative analytics and machine learning in the financial industry for 4 years. He has developed risk quantification frameworks for energy trading and computer vision for insurance claim handling. He has a Ph.D. in nanoscience from Aarhus University of Denmark.

Sebastian Christensen

Senior Data Scientist

Sebastian is a Data Scientist at Portchain. Sebastian has worked with quantitative analytics and machine learning in the financial industry for 4 years. He has developed risk quantification frameworks for energy trading and computer vision for insurance claim handling. He has a Ph.D. in nanoscience from Aarhus University of Denmark.

Alessandro is a Senior Software Engineer at Portchain. He worked 9 years as a freelance full-stack developer then co-founded his own startup as CEO for 5 years. Alessandro joins Portchain after holding a 5 year term in the media industry as Head of Technology. Alessandro has an MSc in Physics from University of Parma.  

Alessandro Ferrari

Senior Software Engineer

Alessandro is a Senior Software Engineer at Portchain. He worked 9 years as a freelance full-stack developer then co-founded his own startup as CEO for 5 years. Alessandro joins Portchain after holding a 5 year term in the media industry as Head of Technology. Alessandro has an MSc in Physics from University of Parma.  

João is an Optimization Specialist at Portchain. João has worked with mathematical programming, heuristics and matheuristics to optimize transport planning for the last 4 years. His main focus has been within scheduling, timetabling, and passenger assignment within public transport planning. He holds an MSc in Transport and Logistics and has a Ph.D. in operations research, both from the Technical University of Denmark.

João Paiva Fonseca

Senior Optimization Specialist

João is an Optimization Specialist at Portchain. João has worked with mathematical programming, heuristics and matheuristics to optimize transport planning for the last 4 years. His main focus has been within scheduling, timetabling, and passenger assignment within public transport planning. He holds an MSc in Transport and Logistics and has a Ph.D. in operations research, both from the Technical University of Denmark.

Stefano is a Software Engineer at Portchain. He started as a JavaScript developer when he was 16, and never stopped since. Stefano has focused his career on Front-end and UI development in multiple industries, such as medical, food, and the ceramic industry, and is now working as a Full-Stack engineer.

Stefano Gombi

Senior Software Engineer

Stefano is a Software Engineer at Portchain. He started as a JavaScript developer when he was 16, and never stopped since. Stefano has focused his career on Front-end and UI development in multiple industries, such as medical, food, and the ceramic industry, and is now working as a Full-Stack engineer.

Oliver is a Senior Software Engineer at Portchain. He has 15 years of experience from the IT-industry, where he has worked as an IT-management consultant for Deloitte Consulting and spent the last 7 years working as a full stack software developer in multiple start-ups. His start-up experience has given him in depth knowledge of how to work with an event driven micro service architecture and how to practice continuous delivery. He has a MSc in Computer Science from the Technical University of Denmark.

Oliver Grandvuinet

Senior Software Engineer

Oliver is a Senior Software Engineer at Portchain. He has 15 years of experience from the IT-industry, where he has worked as an IT-management consultant for Deloitte Consulting and spent the last 7 years working as a full stack software developer in multiple start-ups. His start-up experience has given him in depth knowledge of how to work with an event driven micro service architecture and how to practice continuous delivery. He has a MSc in Computer Science from the Technical University of Denmark.

Michele is Senior Product Designer at Portchain, and has 4+ years of experience in the User Interface and User Experience fields. Michele has worked with companies like MailUp, Manfrotto, PayPal, TotalErg, and Sky. His work has received mentions in a number of prominent digital design magazines like Net Magazine, TNW, and DesignModo. Michele has a Bachelor in Graphic Design and Multimedia from the Academy of Fine Arts of Brescia.

Michele Mazzucco

Senior Product Designer

Michele is Senior Product Designer at Portchain, and has 4+ years of experience in the User Interface and User Experience fields. Michele has worked with companies like MailUp, Manfrotto, PayPal, TotalErg, and Sky. His work has received mentions in a number of prominent digital design magazines like Net Magazine, TNW, and DesignModo. Michele has a Bachelor in Graphic Design and Multimedia from the Academy of Fine Arts of Brescia.

Stephanie is a Senior Product Manager at Portchain. She previously led multiple teams in developing digital products within the legal and accounting industry. Her strong background in Customer Success means she focuses the product vision around user value. Stephanie has studied Information and Communication at the University of Paris VIII.

Stephanie Perez

Senior Product Manager

Stephanie is a Senior Product Manager at Portchain. She previously led multiple teams in developing digital products within the legal and accounting industry. Her strong background in Customer Success means she focuses the product vision around user value. Stephanie has studied Information and Communication at the University of Paris VIII.

Utku is a Senior Software Engineer at Portchain who holds an MSc in Computer Science. He worked for more than 5 years as a software engineer at the Turkish Space Agency, where he gained expertise in the fields of satellite technologies and signal processing. He is also experienced in building user-facing web applications, having worked as a full-stack software engineer at small startups as well.

Utku Ufuk

Senior Software Engineer

Utku is a Senior Software Engineer at Portchain who holds an MSc in Computer Science. He worked for more than 5 years as a software engineer at the Turkish Space Agency, where he gained expertise in the fields of satellite technologies and signal processing. He is also experienced in building user-facing web applications, having worked as a full-stack software engineer at small startups as well.

Julie is a UX/Researcher at Portchain. Julie has 3+ years of experience working with user experience and user research on a wide variety of projects across different industries, from the public sector to Fintech companies and more. Her experience has provided her with a user-centric mindset and an expertise in translating complex user needs into actionable findings to drive business impact. Julie holds a MSc in Digital Design and Communication from the IT University of Copenhagen.

Julie Aaboe

UX/Researcher

Julie is a UX/Researcher at Portchain. Julie has 3+ years of experience working with user experience and user research on a wide variety of projects across different industries, from the public sector to Fintech companies and more. Her experience has provided her with a user-centric mindset and an expertise in translating complex user needs into actionable findings to drive business impact. Julie holds a MSc in Digital Design and Communication from the IT University of Copenhagen.

João is a Software Engineer at Portchain. He has 14 years of experience developing software professionally in different industries, technologies, and languages. Focused on full-stack development he doesn’t have a preference between frontend and backend.

João Durães Sousa Franco

Software Engineer

João is a Software Engineer at Portchain. He has 14 years of experience developing software professionally in different industries, technologies, and languages. Focused on full-stack development he doesn’t have a preference between frontend and backend.

Laia is a Marketing Analyst in Portchain and brings good marketing experience to the company. Having worked in the recycling and construction markets for the last 5 years, Laia has launched several successful regional and global marketing campaigns. She is currently studying a MSc in Communication & Brand Management at Copenhagen Business School. Previously, she studied a BSc in International Business & Marketing at ESCI-Upf, in Barcelona.

Laia Martín Anglada

Marketing Analyst

Laia is a Marketing Analyst in Portchain and brings good marketing experience to the company. Having worked in the recycling and construction markets for the last 5 years, Laia has launched several successful regional and global marketing campaigns. She is currently studying a MSc in Communication & Brand Management at Copenhagen Business School. Previously, she studied a BSc in International Business & Marketing at ESCI-Upf, in Barcelona.

Alfred is a Financial Analyst at Portchain. He is currently studying a BSc in Economics at the University of Copenhagen.

Alfred Thorhauge Holbech

Financial Analyst

Alfred is a Financial Analyst at Portchain. He is currently studying a BSc in Economics at the University of Copenhagen.

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